Whitgift Shopping Centre development proposals go to committee

Proposals for the redevelopment include the demolition of the majority of the buildings and the construction of a mixed use retail led development, including offices, retail space and between 400 to 600 new homes.

Plans include the retention of the current Whitgift car par, which has the potential for future development. A building on the northern edge of the site, which is currently used by Marks and Spencer, is also proposed to be retained. 

The proposals do not constitute a planning application and are being presented to the committee to enable members of the committee to view it at an early stage and to comment upon it, the Council said.

Plans for the scheme have been developed through ongoing pre-application discussions with

Croydon's planning officers, the Greater London Authority and Transport for London.

The National Planning Policy Framework, the London Plan, and Croydon's emerging Core Strategy are all in favour of supporting growth of the Croydon Metropolitan Centre, the Council said.

Westfield is likely to submit an outline planning application, with sufficient information to enable production of an Environmental Statement to assess the likely significant environmental impacts of the proposed development, the Council said.

The same planning committee will also consider a planning application for a £50 million redevelopment of the neighbouring Centrale shopping centre. Proposals for Centrale include the partial demolition, alteration and extension of the shopping centre to provide space to build a new cinema, retail units and food space.